1.
[syn: spurge laurel, wood laurel, Daphne laureola]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Spurge \Spurge\, n. [OF. espurge, F. ['e]purge, from OF.
espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge.]
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See Euphorbia.
[1913 Webster]
Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with
crowded narrow leaves. It is a native of Southern Europe.
Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with
oblong evergreen leaves.
Spurge nettle. See under Nettle.
Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found
in the Mediterranean region.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (Laurus
nobilis), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
axils; -- called also sweet bay.
Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
[1913 Webster]
2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
[1913 Webster]
3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
[1913 Webster]
Laurel water, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
products carried over in the process.
[1913 Webster]
American laurel, or Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia;
called also calico bush. See under Mountain.
California laurel, Umbellularia Californica.
Cherry laurel (in England called laurel). See under
Cherry.
Great laurel, the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum).
Ground laurel, trailing arbutus.
New Zealand laurel, the Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae].
Portugal laurel, the Prunus Lusitanica.
Rose laurel, the oleander. See Oleander.
Sheep laurel, a poisonous shrub, Kalmia angustifolia,
smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
redder flowers.
Spurge laurel, Daphne Laureola.
West Indian laurel, Prunus occidentalis.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
spurge laurel
n 1: bushy Eurasian shrub with glossy leathery oblong leaves and
yellow-green flowers [syn: spurge laurel, wood laurel,
Daphne laureola]